I apologize to those reading this while it's still a work in progress. I thought posting the chapters would help motivate me, but I've gotten writer's block at times and it's turning into a busy summer. I think we've past the halfway point of the story, but no guarantees. I will try harder to work on this.

CHAPTER 10

The next day, they had only been traveling about 2 hours when Ziggy interrupted Al, "Excuse me, Admiral. Your assistance is required in the infirmary."

"What's wrong? Is Sam okay?"

"I am not sure. There is a change in Dr. Beckett's condition and your daughter could use your assistance."

"I'll be right there!" Al opened the imaging chamber door and walked to it. "Sorry Laura, but Sam needs me."

Laura shook her head and shivered, "B-b-but what a-am I s-supposed to-ooo do?"

"Just follow this path for another hour. I should be back by then. I'm sorry." Al said before closing the door.

Laura looked around her and took in how quiet it was. They had not been bothered by many wild animals, but that was probably because Al had been constantly talking. But now that it was quiet, Laura was not sure if the animals would stay away. Taking a deep breath, Laura picked up a long branch and continued her trek, trying to make out the path in the snow.

"What is it? What's wrong?" Al asked as he exited the elevator at the infirmary.

Trudy smiled at him. "Nothing's wrong, just a false alarm, dad."

"Then what made you think something was wrong?" Al demanded.

Trudy sighed, "Mom is better at calming you down."

"Well, she had to go to town today, so now it's your job!"

"Okay!" She took a deep breath. "Uncle Sam's brain activity quickly slowed down and for a brief minute there, we were afraid that he, well…"

"That he what?!"

"That it would drop completely, leaving him as brain dead."

Al paled slightly before asking, "You said it was just a scare."

"Yes. It did climb back up to a level that is considered normal for a coma."

"So does that mean he'll be waking up soon?"

"We don't know. Possibly. We're still keeping a close eye on him and making sure that someone is with him at all times."

"So he's still in a coma?"

"For now, yes. We're going to wait a few days before trying to wake him again."

"Good." Al took a deep breath and rubbed his face. "Can I see him?"

"Of course, dad. Just don't wake him."

"Got it." Al waved his hand dismissively as he entered Sam's room.

Everything looked the same, except the monitors were showing different stats. Al took Sam's hand and said, "Just take your time, kid. We can't wait to have you back, but there's no need to rush. *sigh* Okay, I need to go; we don't need Laura getting lost when she's so close to being rescued. So I'll be back later, I promise."

Laura flinched at every little sound and kept her eyes peeled for anything threatening. Just because Ziggy said that there were no bears for miles, did not mean that one could not have gotten lost in the snow. As Laura stepped over a branch, she heard a loud clatter behind her. As she turned around to look, she tripped over the branch and lost her balance. Because of how cold she was, her reactions were slow and she was unable to catch herself.

"LAURA!" She heard Al yell before her head exploded in pain and everything went black.

Everything seemed to happen in slow motion for Al. The imaging chamber door opened into a tree but as Al moved around it, he bumped into the door frame. The handlink slipped from his hand and clattered to the ground. Before he could pick it up, he saw Laura trip and fall. On instinct, Al tried to catch her but she went right through his arms. "LAURA!" He yelled as Laura hit her head on a rock.

Al knelt next to her and called her name, "Laura? Laura sweetie, wake up please!"

"Admiral, Miss Jackson is currently unconscious and will not awaken for at least 5 hours."

"That can't be good."

"Unfortunately, the odds of her regaining consciousness before the elements get her are at 63% and rising."

"Then what should I do?" Al rubbed his head.

"The couple camping is 1.3 miles away."

"That's great! Except they can't see me!"

"Records show that they have a dog that they always bring with them on trips."

Al quickly grabbed the handlink and stood up. "ZIGGY! Center me on the dog!" As his eyes adjusted to his new surroundings, he heard barking and turned in to find a husky in a defensive position. "Hey boy! I need you to follow me!"

The dog just continued to bark until a voice called, "Koda? What's the matter, girl?"

"Ah, a girl dog. Well, I need your help! Come on girl!" Al whistled as he started walking in the direction of Laura. Koda growled as she slowly followed Al. "Come in girl! I bet you'll get a lot treats afterwards. Maybe even meat!" Koda barked as she moved faster.

"Koda!" A second voice called. "KODA COME BACK!"

Al whistled and clapped his hands as he walked quickly. "Come on girl! That's a good girl! You are such a pretty girl. That's it!" Al continued his praises and encouragements as he led the way. Once she spotted Laura, Koda sprinted ahead. "That's it! Good girl!" Al praised as Koda nuzzled Laura and laid down next to her.

"Yuriy! There's someone in the snow!" A woman yelled as she neared Laura and Koda.

Yuriy quickly joined them and started to examine Laura. "He's freezing cold! I'm surprised that he's still breathing."

"What should we do?"

"We need to get him back to our RV and warm him up. We can radio the ranger when we get there."

"Do you think that it's safe to move him?"

"Carmen, calm down! His footsteps are fresh, which means that he just got here, probably no more than 30 minutes ago. It looks like he tripped and cracked his head on that rock there." Yuriy took his coat off. "Help me put this on him and then get him on my back so I can carry him."

"Are you sure that it's a good idea?"

"Not really, but we need to get him out of the cold as soon as possible."

"Alright. Move Koda."

Al watched as they maneuvered Laura onto Yuriy's back. "Ziggy! What are Laura's chances of survival now?"

"43.7% and rising."

"Good."

"You have a phone call, Admiral. It is Senator Isaacs and he says that it is important."

Al sighed. "Alright, I'll take it in my office."

"Ah! Admiral! I hope I'm not taking you away from anything important." Ken Isaacs said smugly.

"Everything I do at this project is important!" Al tried not to growl.

"Well, while I've got you, I wanted to let you know that my guy should be arriving around 5pm."

"So in 4 hours?"

"Yes, I guess with the time change, you have a bit more time. He needs to have a tour of the project, be introduced to all senior personnel, and shown to his office and quarters. I'm expecting a preliminary report from him by the end of tomorrow."

"I'll see what I can do on such notice."

"Good good. Now, is Dr Beckett awake?"

"Not yet, but we're expecting him to awaken within the next few days."

"Alright. I'll have my psychologist arrive in a week to assess him."

"And if Sam is not awake by then?"

"I'll have him do evaluations on all of the employees, starting at the top. The government is very interested in how this project has affected the employees. I'll call back in a few days. Good day, Admiral."

"Nozzle!" Al growled as the call disconnected. "Ziggy!"

"Yes, Admiral?"

"Does anything else need my immediate attention?"

"No, sir. Would you like me to inform Captain Dalton of this development?"

"Please do. Have him give the new nozzle a tour and then lock him in a room to do paperwork. Strike that, reverse it. That should keep him busy until I can figure out what to do with him."

"Affirmative. Should I have Dr Martinez prep the imaging chamber?"

"In about a half hour. I believe my wife would reprimand me if I didn't take this time to eat something."

"Very well, Admiral."